The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-06-01

In the presence Of great multitude Of peo-.
pie the statue Of General James A. Garfield,
raised by the Society of the Army of the
Cumberland in honor Of one Of their com-i
rades, was Thursday afternoon uncovered In
Washington with appropriate ceremonies,
and accepted for the people Of the United.
States in brief speech by President Cleveland.
The ceremony of unveiling the statue was the (
principal feature Of the annual assembly OF
the Society Of the Army Of the Cumberland.
It had held its business meetings,
ton on the history Of the society that:
is required by the compact Of organ
ization to be provided at each yearly gather.
ing, and at noon was ready to carry out the
programme arranged for the formal revelar
ton of the monument to the public.
Just before noon the procession moved from
the Arlington Hotel under command Of Gem
eral Absalom Baird 1t was composed OF
public buildings and hotels, but there was no
special attempt at decoration aside from this.
Persons who desired to see the unveil-
ing assembled early about the circle,
IN the centre, Of which stood tbs
statue wrapped in flags. The place chosen =
almost Immediately in front Of the west end
Of the House Of Representatives, at the foot
Of Capitol Hill, and facing Maryland ave.
nue., an avenue that leads out to- the south
west just at Penns-lv avenue does
to the northwest. At the west side
Of the circle, backing up against the
wall Of the Botanical Garden, a platform was
erected. Here were seated the invited guests,
including the President and Mrs. Cleveland,
Members Of the Cabinet. James and Henry
Garfield, Generals Sherman, Sheridan and
Rosecrans, and other noted people
After the prayer the Marine band played
"Hail to the Chief" aid amid the clapping OF
hands the American flag envelopi9g The
statue was dropped, and the great bronzs !
image stood exposed to the rays Of the mid.
day sun. --i5Ss2s
The statue is the design Of tho sculptor
Ward, who also designed the equestrian
statue Of General Thomas in that city. Il
is ten feet six inches in height and rep.
resents Garfield facing the west Ia
the act of delivering an address, with
his right hand resting on column and
manuscript held in his left. Recumbent
ideal figures at each corner Of the triangular
and the statesman, typifying the three
epochs in General Garfeld's career. Bron1s
tablets above the figures bear globe, I
trumpet, and q sword, and laurel
wreath enclosing the scales of Justice
The inscriptions upon the shaft are
placed upon three sides as follows: E.
Southwest face--James A. Garfield, ISL
1881.
Southeast face-Major General q. 8. ";
Member Of Congress; Senator and Presidert
Of the United States Of America f.Js
North face-Erected by his comrades Of
the Society Of the Army Of the Cumberland,
May IL, 1887. Il
A battery Of artillery fred national sa-
lutte, and then General Sheridan introduced
the orator of the day, General J. Warren
Keifer, who, on the part Of the Monument
Committee, delivered an address transferring
the statue to General Sheridan. At its cor
clusion General Sheridan, in behalf of the
society, transferred the statue to the Presi:
dent Of the United States. The President re-
sponded in speech accepting the statue.
When he had concluded the band played .HailZ.
Columbia, and the Rev. F. D. Power, who was
the pastor Of General Garfeld's church in this
city, pronounced the benediction The troops
were then dismissed, and the ceremonies
ended. ... .- ~ ~